The nursing staff at Family Care is committed to our patient's health and well-being. They provide helpful advice, knowledgeable triage, and compassionate care. The links below provide advice, directly from our nurses, on treating common health problems. Here you will also find recommended dosages for various over-the-counter medications for infants and children. Our Medication Tracking Log is also available to help manage and properly treat you or your child. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!

Strep Throat

Once seen in the office with dx of strep: Increase fluids, alternate Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours, try chloraceptic spray, warm salt water gargles, and throat lozenges. If nasal drainage develops, use benadryl, cool mist humidifier. Complete all antibiotics, replace toothbrush, call if not better in 4-5 days.

If over 2 years old, can start Zaditor OTC eye drops. Warm compresses, wiping inside to out, use new wash cloth each time, use antihistamine for itching, wash hands frequently, push fluids and rest. If there is drainage or if contacts are used, call for an appointment.

Teething

Give Tylenol for a low grade temperature, call if temp is greater 100.6 for more than 24 hours. Expect loose stools.

Cough, Sore Throat

Alternate between Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours to control fever. Elevate head of the bed, use nasal spray to loosen mucus, humidify air, push fluids.

Seasonal Allergies

Use antihistamines as needed, nasal spray, push fluids.

High Fever

Alternate Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours according to weight (see dosage chart). Push fluids such as Gatorade, Pedialyte, juices, or popsicles. Watch for signs of dehydration including decreased urination, dark circles under eyes, and dry cracked lips. If no improvement in 3 days, call. For infants under 12 months, call if fever lasts longer than 24 hours.

Rash

Observe for first few days, use benadryl at night, hydrocortisone cream topically, push fluids, cotton clothes, wash sheets. If not better in a few days, call for appointment.

Vomiting

Stay hydrated with pedialyte or Gatorade, a few spoonfuls at a time. Avoid solid food until you are able to keep fluids down for 4 hours. Then, start with crackers, toast, or dry cereal, continue with BRAT (bread, rice, applesause, toast) for next 24 hours, avoid milk products

Poison Ivy

Use any of the following: Benadryl as needed, hydrocortisone 1%, Band-aid anti-itch gel, calmoseptine 3 times a day.

Do not give Tylenol more often than every 4 hours or more than 5 doses per day.

**NOTE: Since Tylenol pediatric products are available without prescription, parents are warned on the package label to consult a physician for the use by children under 2 or for the use longer than 5 days. Contact your physician immediately in the case of an accidental overdose.
**The physicians at Family Care approve of the above chart for usage at the weight of 6lbs and above

Children's Zyrtec

Age

Dose

6 months-2 years

½ tsp (2.5ml)

2 years-5 years

1 tsp (5ml)

6 years and up

1-2 tsp (5-10 ml)

Children's Benadryl
(Not Recommended until 12 months of age)

Weight

12.5 mg=1 tsp or 25mg capsule

6-11 lbs

Not recommended

12-17 lbs

½ tsp

18-23 lbs

1 tsp

24-35 lbs

1½ tsp

36-47 lbs

2 tsp or 1 capsule

48-59 lbs

3 tsp or 1 capsule

60-71 lbs

3-4 tsp or 2 capsules

72-95 lbs

4 tsp or 2 caplules

96+ lbs

4 tsp or 2 capsules

We do not recommend any type of decongestant medications. Instead, we advise to push fluids, use nasal saline, cool mist humidity, or crack a window to cool the room at night.

Children's Ibuprofen (same as Advil and Motrin)(Not Recommended until 6 months of age)

Age

Weight

Infant Drops 50mg/1.25ml

Ibuprofen Liquid 100mg/5ml

Ibuprofen Chewable 50mg

Ibuprofen Chewable 100mg

6-11 mo

13-17 lbs

1.25ml

½ tsp

1 tablet

½ tablet

12-23 mo

18-23 lbs

1.875ml

¾ tsp

1½ tablets

¾ tablet

2-3 yrs

24-35 lbs

N/A

1 tsp

2 tablets

1 tablet

4-5 yrs

36-47 lbs

N/A

1½ tsp

2½ tablets

1½ tablets

6-8 yrs

48-59 lbs

N/A

2 tsp

4 tablets

2 tablets

9-10 yrs

60-71 lbs

N/A

2½ tsp

5 tablets

2½ tablets

11-12 yrs

72-95 lbs

N/A

3 tsp

6 tablets

3 tablets

One dose may be given every 6-8 hours as needed for fever control. Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.

Claritin Liquid
2-6 years: 1 tsp daily, do not take more than 1 tsp in 24 hours
6+ years: 2 tsp daily, do not take more than 2 tsp in 24 hours

When to Call
›Infants 12mo and under with fever, cough, or wheezing
›Wheezing or any other breathing problems
›Fever lasting longer than 5 days, breaks and comes back after 24 hours›Whenever you have questions or concerns